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Tour to the While Hills. 



From the Classic. 
NOTES OF A TOUR TO THE WHITE HILLS, 

IN JULY, 1841. EY E. W. SOUTHWICK. 

Read before the Cuvierian Society of the Wesleyan University, Aug. 29th. 

These celebrated highlands, it is well known, are situated in the north- 
ern and eastern part of the State of New Hampshire, in lat. about 44° 15' 
N. and long. 7120' W. 

Their highest summits* overlooking the country on all sides from sixty to 
a hundred miles have ever been the objects of great interest and admira- 
tion to the inhabitants. Though about seventy miles from the coast, they 
are seen many miles at gea, their broad summits resting like a bright cloud 
in the western horizon. 

The Indians have ever looked upon them with superstitious awe height 
ened by the marvellous traditions of th^ir fathers, that they were the 
abodes of spirits. Hence none had ever dared to ascend the highest peak, 
before the successful example of the incredulous white man, which accord- 
ing to Gov. Wmthrop, was given in 1842, by " one Darby Field, an Irish- 
man."! Until within about fifty years they were seldom visited, chiefly on 
account of the difficulty of access ; since which time, however, the visits 
have yearly grown more frequent, till at present they have become an easy 
and delightful resort for visitors from all parts of the United States. 

The object of this paper is to present a few facts and incidents collected 
during a recent tour to these mountains; some of which it is hoped may be 
found of some interest. 

*.The height of these mountains has been very much overrated by early observers. 
Dr. Cutler, in 1804, estimated the height of Mount Washington at 10,000 feet, and Dr. 
Belknap considered it even more than this ; but more recent and careful observation 
has determined it to be much less. Dr. Bigelow by observations in 1816. gave its height 
as G.225, and Dr. Jackson, geologist to the State ofN. H. in 1810, reported its height as 
6,228 feet above the level of the sea. 

The following memorandum from barometric observations in 1821, by Capt. Partridge, 
an observer of great experience and accuracy, gives the height of the principal peaks in 
the White Mountain range as follows : 

Mount Washington, above the sea, 6,234 feet. 

" Adams, " " 5,328 " 

" Jefferson, " " 5,058 " 

" Madison, " " 4,866 " 

" Franklin, " " 4,711 " 

" Monroe, - " " 4,356 " 

Exploring visits to the sources of the Hudson, by W. C. Redfield, p. 22. This pamph- 
let was published from No. 2, Vol. xxxin. Silliman's Journal. 

Though the summit of Mt.Washington is the highest in the United States, it ranges low 
in the scale of mountains, and appears quite insignificant by comparison. Its height 
is not half that of Mount lilanc, and Quito, with a population of 70,000, one of ths 
finest and largest cities in all America, is nearly 3000 feet higher, 
t Winthrop's Journal, Ed. I 1790. p. 247. 







Tour to the White Hills. 



July 12th. Early in the morning, our party, consisting of four, left Vas- 
salboro', a small post town on the Kennebec, in a private coach, and soon 
passed through Augusta eleven miles distant, on our projected journey. 
After two days' pleasant ride, we arrived at Fryburg, on a bend of the 
Saco, about one hundred miles ride from Augusta, and forty-five from the 
mountains. This most interesting village on our whole route consists 
chiefly of neat white houses, arranged for about half a mile, along a wide 
level street on a beautiful high interval. Just below this is another inter- 
val of many hundred acres, level, luxuriant, thickly checkered with thrifty 
and various crops, and moistened by the meandering waters of the Saco. 
All this is in the midst of rich mountainous scenery,being placed as it were 
in the bottom of a mighty basin, whose brim is the distant summits in the 
surrounding horizon. 

July 14th. Our kind host, Mr. Souther, whose establishment we can 
most cheerfully recommend as an honorable exception to most inns on the 
route, prepared for our early departure, which was very desirable, when 
the mid-day heat on a dusty road was so oppressive. Beside the usual tav- 
ernings, we took many repasts during the day on the luscious fruit which 
stored the road side, refreshing ourselves, and giving our horses a grateful 
respite.* On this part of our route, we enjoyed much magnificent scenery, 
passing first through a luxurious mountainous district, highly picturesque 
and grand by the many forest-crowned blue-tinted heights, which swell 
so proudly up with their perpetual verdure ; and soon winding along the 
narrow fertile valley of the Saco between wild, steep, and sometimes rug- 
ged and precipitous declivities, often stretching up more than a thousand 
eet. The ridges are so high and the pass so narrow, that the shadows of 
sun light soon fall in the valley and surprise the stranger with an early 
sunset. 

It was so with us, when we arrived, ( 4 or 5 o'clock) at the " Wil- 
ley House," formerly called the " Notch House," the residence of the 
unhappy Willey Family, who were destroyed in 1826, by an immense slide 
from the mountains, in attempting to find safety without their threatened, 
though perfectly uninjured dwelling.f A torrent of earth and stones pas- 
sed on each side, wonderfully sparing the house, yet mingling the frag- 
ments of an adjoining barn with the sad ruin in front. This was caused 
by a severe rain in August, which produced several hundred slides and the 
most destructive flood of the Saco ever known.J 

The house has been very much defaced by travellers, who have inscribed 

* Raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries were ripe and very abundant. 

1" The number overwhelmed was nine, the father and mother, with their five childern, 
(the oldest thirteen, and the youngest five years of age,) and two hired men. None were 
left to describe the dreadful scene. 

X An excellent account of the Storm and Slides is given by J. B. Moore, New Harap. 
Nat. Hist. Coll. Vol. in. p. 224. 

M 






Tour to the White Hills 



their names on the walls, and split off from every convenient place, memen- 
tos of the awful event. We imitated their wisdom or simplicity, hy saving 
a fragment of the hearth-stone, so often warmed and lighted by the same 
blaze, which shone upon the cheerful countenances of the rustic circle, 
happy and thoughtless of their impending fate. * This house is about two 
miles from the Notch, at which is the public inn, now called the " Notch 
House," which is provided by one Crawford, son of the notable Abel Craw- 
ford, " veteran guide of the mountains." In front of this is a large mead- 
ow, formerly a beaver pond, along the borders of which flows the head 
waters of the Saco, (a small stream,) easterly through the Notch. 

The Notch, so long admired as one of the most wonderful and interesting 
objects in the natural scenery of our country, is a narrow defile two miles 
in length, in many places barely wide enough for the road and the river, 
which here dashes swiftly along its craggy pathway. The narrowest part is 
near the Notch House, which is twenty two feet wide. This pass extends 
between two mighty, ragged, granite walls, surmounted by huge, rocky, 
cloud-capped piles, which seem the scathless turrets of nature's own stu- 
pendous battlements. The range, otherwise continuous, is here cloven 
from summit to base, presenting at once the wildest grandeur of the moun- 
tain scenery. 

There are many beautiful cascades along the side of this remarkable 
chasm, some of which fall almost perpendicularly several hundred feet. 
The most beautiful of these are Dwights' Silver Cascade, half a mile from 
the Notch House, and the Flume three fourths of a mile farther. The for- 
mer of these leaps over a succession of precipices seven or eight hundred 
feet,in one continuous sheet of feathery foam. The latter falls about three 
hundred feet over three perpendicular cliffs, and through a narrow passage 
between two parallel rocks, from which singular appearance of art it takes 
its name. While the snow is melting in spring, or after a heavy rain, there 
are many hundred of these sparkling torrents pouring down the lofty steeps, 
adding a glorious charm to the grandeur of the scenery.f 

The beauty of ihe mountain cascades is owing, in a great degree, to the 
remarkable purity of the water, which is all clear and sparkling as when 
babbling from its rocky fountains.| How cool from its mountain heights — 
how sweetly grateful one birchen chalice to the thirsty traveller ! 

* For an interesting and affecting history of the destrution of this worthy and virtu- 
ous family, by Prof, Upham of Bowdoin College, see New Hamp. Nat. Hie. Coll. 
Vol. hi. p. 266. 

t The magnificence of such a multitude of streams, descending almost perpendicular- 
ly from these lofty heights, and presenting to the eye a collection of cataracts, two or 
three thousand feet in length ; the mingled roar of the torrents ; and the hollow sound- 
ing echo, filling the vast chasm ; appeared to my fancy superiorto anything,wh.ch I had 
ever seen or read of the wild and awful majesty of nature, except the ravages of a vol- 
cano. Dwight's Travels, Vol. 11. p. 299. 

t The larger portion of this water, however, is formed by the condensed vapor, which 
trickles down the surface. 



Tour to the White Hilts. 



" Not a full blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it, 
Though filled with the nectar, that Jupiter sips." 

July 15th. Four lazy,stupid horses and a guide were at the door of the 
Notch House at an early hour.* After making suitable preparations for 
botanizing, and taking a comfortable breakfast,! we seated ourselves on the 
beasts. The guide having arranged them, single file, went forward on foot 
and directed us to follow. Our side-saddle companions, though little ac- 
customed to equestrian excursions, were anxious to hazard the fatigue of 
the route, for a view from Mount Washington, and drove cheerily on. By 
reason of some rustic dress, for which we exchanged our own to provide 
against wind and storm, we made quite a grotesque appearance. \ 

We were now ascending Mount Clinton, and six miles from the summit 
of Mount Washington. Slowly climbing the steep through a dense forest, 
for two miles, we came to the summit of Mount Clinton. The wind now 
blew strongly from the N. W., bringing dense, damp clouds, which embos- 
sed the mountains, and completely obscured the prospect. Thus damp, 
chilly, and fearful of the continuance of such weather, we proceeded on the 
dreary way. But there was little time to repine at this, before the mists 
rolled up, like the curtain of some vast theatre, displaying for a moment the 
magnificent scenery, when all again was wrapped in vapor. Several times 
before reaching Mount Washington, was thus exhibited the glorious pano- 
rama. 

We found the end of our journey at this summit of summits, after about 
three hours ride amid thick mists driven by a strong wind. Though the 
thermometer was not lower than 57°, we were very cold, and sought shel- 
ter from the blast in the clefts of the rocks on the southern side, to partake 
of the frugal repast, which the guide had provided, and drink the clear cold 
beverage, which appeared almost on the very summit. 

Nothing now appeared of the surrounding country. All was shrouded 
and dismal as before, by the chilly vapor, which blew so swiftly about us. 
But this was not to veil us in disappointment. Suddenly the fleecy curtain 
rose up once more, giving a full broad view on every side — and such a 
prospect ! The meridian sun shone brightly in upon the summit, and 
through a thousand openings in the flying clouds, diversifying the mighty 
landscape with checkered fields of moving light.$ Deep valleys, dense 

* But these epithets do not propose any fault in the animals, who were well adapted 
to the business, and performed the journey with a sagacious care not common to horses 
untrained. 

t The traveller among the mountains will meet a dish of trout at almost every meal" 
The clear, cool streams, here abound with these beautiful fish, whose flavor is very 
highly reputed by experienced palates. 

J It is not unfrequent to meet a pleasant shower in the upper regions, and no shelter 
to escape a drenching ! 

§ This phenomenon was particularly worthy of admiration. Such large moving 
shadows of dense clouds, contrasting so deeply with the sun-light upon the verdure, 
spread far as the eye could reach, gave a highly animated and glorious effect to the 
•eerie. 



Tout to the White Hills. 



forests, rugged steeps, and wild mountains, form the adjoining scenery be- 
low ; and farther distant appear the rich meadows and woodlands, fertile 
fields, many bright streams and shining basins of water, and the ploughman's 
dwellings, resting like specks on the vales and swelling highlands ; and 
beyond these, as if in miniature arrayed, ponds and villages, and verdant 
hill-tops gleam far around, through the soft, rich blue of the mighty dis- 
tance. * 

Thus the day, at length, appeared favorable for a prospect, the sublimity 
of which was not a little heightened by the phenomena of the clouds. 

The summit of Mount Washington is composed of a huge pile of loose 
slabs of granite covered with lichens, which are the only vegetation found 
upon them, except a few dwarfish specimens of grass, (Carex saxatilis.) 
Among the lichen:-, (he Lichen Islandicus, (Iceland moss,) grows here very 
abundantly. Having remained about two hours, and collected a sufficient 
number of Geological and Botanical specimens, we began to retrace our 
course. The ascent was not delayed by observations, which we now pro- 
posed to make. In descending the "Sugar Loaf," as it is called by Dr. 
Belknap, which is the pyramidial pile of rocks forming the summit, we col- 
lected our best specimens of Carex saxatilis. Not far distant from the base 
of this pile,and nearly west, are the Blue Ponds, two beautiful little collec- 
tions of water, of the usual mountain coolness and purity. The tempera- 
ture of the largest of these was somewhat reduced, by a large mass of snow 
melting upon its borders. The elevation of these ponds is about four thou- 
sand feet. 

The snow on the mountains is seen at a great distance, presenting a very 
luminous white appearance, which has suggested their name. But it is 
worthy of remark, that snow is seldom found here in August ; and, that its 
presence in June and July is owing, not so much to the cold, as to the im- 
mense quantity which wastes very rapidly during the summer months.f 
As some places had but recently been free from snow, the vegetation upon 
them appeared as in early spring-time. The Indian poke (Veratrum viride) 
was just shooting up, with its large green buds, and venus pride (Houston- 
ia cserulea) was just in flower. 

Among the most interesting plants found in the vicinity of these ponds, 
are the Diapensia lapponica, Menziesia cserulea, Geum Peckii, and Carex 

* " Mount of the clouds on whose Olympian height 

The tall rocks brighten in the ether air, 
And spirits from the skies come down at night, 
To chant immortal songs to Freedom there ! 

* * * * .# * * 

Thine is the summit where the clouds repose, 

Or eddying wildly round thy cliffs are borne ; 
When Tempest mounts his rushingcar, and throws 

His billowy mist amid the thunder's home !" G. Mellkn. 

t These drifts are usually on the southern and south eastern declivities, being deposi- 
ted by the north-west winds ; and no snow appears at this season on the northern sides. 



6 Tour to the White Hills. 

atrata. The Labrador tea (Ledum latifolium), which is very abundant on 
the mountains, was in full flower, presenting a very beautiful appearance.* 
Spending but few hours upon the mountains, our success in botanizing was 
limited, but quite satisfactory ; and we arrived at the Notch House,f with 
full bundles,:); at an early hour. The route was not so rough as we antici- 
pated, and much less steep. Two ladies having never before attempted to 
ride on horseback, ascended this day with another party, enjoyed the ride, 
and were but little fatigued ! || To those who have formerly toiled up the 
the steeps on foot, an account of a pleasant ride to the summit of Mount 
Washington is scarcely creditable. 

The vegetation of these mountains appears in three very distinct zones, 
viz. forest trees at the base, which are chiefly spruce, occasionally inter- 
spersed with the birch and maple ; above these dwarf evergreens (spruces 
with very dense foliage, from four to ten feet high), and next the Alpine 
plants. 

The two former clothe the sides to the height of nearly four thousand feet 
where the growth of small plants begins, of which very few are woody, 
some herbaceous ; but the chief are lichens, which give the region such a 
dreary aspect. 

The geological composition, here,is granite andgeniss,intersectedby veins 
of quartz. There are also some confused strata of coarse mica slate. No 
minerals of much importance have been found in the immediate vicinity of 
Mount Washington ; but several towns on the borders of the White Moun- 
tain range exhibit many rich localities. Franconia has long been known, 
for its extensive iron mine,^ and Bartlett, as also many adjoining towns, 
abound with this metal, though not yet mined. Tin has recently been 
found in Jackson,f which locality, if it affords any considerable quantity 
must prove of very great value. Some very large and beautiful crystals of 
smoky quartz, have also been found among the mountains.! 

* For a more particular account of the plants found here, see Notes at the close of 
this article, by Dr. Barratt, whom I have furnished with a set of the specimens obtained. 

t The elevation of Notch House is 1829 feet above the level of the sea. — Jackson's 
Rep. on Geol. New Hamp. 1841. 

t We collected about twenty species, and about a thousand plants. 

II Until within a short time, it has been almost impracticable forladies'to ascend, as it 
was necessary to climb on foot, for about three miles over rocks," in some places' very 
steep. The idea of a horse-path was suggested by the ' old man Crawford,' and this 
pass was opened about a year since, under his persevering and praiseworthy direction. 
Such encouraging success caused another to be immediately projected, at the "Moun- 
tain House," about four miles distant. This route is much less pleasant than the form- 
er, and a part of it is quite steep ; but the size and style of the house, and the more am- 
ple and pleasant accommodation, induce most visitors to pass the Notch House. The 
delightful view from the summit of Mount Franklin is not enjoyed, neither are'th'e Blue 
Ponds seen on this route, which renders it a poor onegfor botanizing. 

>S> This iron occurs in guiess, in abed five to eight feet thick. 

t Report on the Geology of the State of New Hamp. for 1841. 

J Some fine crystals were found near Bartlett a few months 'since.'one'of which was 
said to have been sold for twenty dollars. 



Tour to the White Hills. 



July 16th. Having taken breakfast with Mr. Crawford, and carefully 
packed our plants,|| we seated ourselves in the coach, ready for a journey 
homeward. In passing through the Notch we had a fine view, for the first 
time, of the ' Old Man of the Mountains, with the mists gathering round 
his hoary brow.' There is quite a resemblance to the outline of a man's 
face, and with a little help of imagination, it makes quite a grand profile. 
It appears best about two miles distant, and is formed by several cliffs pro- 
jecting at a considerable distance from each other, from the top of the north- 
ern declivity ; hence the image disappears when approached. Stopping 
again at the Willey House, on a small farm adjoining, we found an abun- 
dance of most delicious strawberries, a circumstance quite as unexpected 
as pleasant, to the traveller in so wild a region. 

We spent the coming night in Fryburg, and on the evening of the 18th, 
arrived at Vassalboro', whence we had departed. This route, being per- 
formed without accident in so pleasant a season, was of course highly satis- 
factory ; and as it is one so abundantly delightful, by the diversity of its 
scenery, and so remarkably interesting, by the opportunity it affords for cu- 
rious and valuable research. 

List of Plants collected by Mr. E. W. Southwick, on the White Moun- 
tains of New Hampshire, July 15, 1841, tvith Notes and References by 

J. Barratt, M. D., 
President of the Cuvierian Society of the Wesleyan University. 



The collection of Plants submitted to my examination, obtained by Mr. 
Southwick, on his late visit to the Alpine regions of New Hampshire, 
were necessarily gathered with much haste. Considering the short space 
of time he was able to devote to Herborizing, his success in obtaining 
choice specimens greatly exceeded my expectations. 

Besides the plants in the annexed list, the Lichens and Mosses were also 
collected by him ; these however, have not yet come to hand. 

I was more desirous that Mr. S. should procure a good supply of the rare 
Carices, and the beautiful and rare Geum Peckii, as well as some other 
plants, than attempt gathering a little of every thing in his way. This will 
account for the number of species,obtained during this rapid excursion, be- 
ll To collect and preserve plants in the best manner, in such circumstances, being con- 
sidered quite difficult as well as unusual, it may be inieresting to some, to learn the best 
method. Being provided with a ream of thick wrapping paper of double size, a part of 
this was carried up the mountains ; and the plants were laid smoothly in it as soon as 
collected. Thev were then tied up in rolls of a convenient size, and strapped to the 
saddle. Immediately after returning, the best specimens being selected and again ar- 
ranged, the remaining pnper was divided pretty equally between them, to absorb the 
moisture. The whole pile was now put between two large stiff sheets of binders board, 
(thick pasteboard) and pressure produced, by drawing straps tightly about them. They 
were thus treated during the day, while travelling, and at night, spread on the floor 
»T«r m much surface as possible; not a plant being removed from the papers till dry. 



6 Tour to the While Hills. 

ing less than might have been procured by a more experienced collector. 
I ought here, in justice to my young friend, who has obliged me greatly by 
the liberal manner in which he has supplied me with these dried plants, to 
say, that they were selected with great judgment and discrimination, and 
were most beautifully preserved. 

diapensia lapponica Linn. Flora lapponica p. 88. 

This forms large spreading tufts on the summit of the White Mountains. 

It has also been found on the High Mountains in Essex County, New 
York, from whence we have specimens furnished by Prof. Torrey. We 
have also a Rhododendron from the summit of Mount Marcy, which is 
common to the White Mountains. 

azalea procumeens Linn. Spec. Plantarum p. 214. 

A small and spreading shrub of great beauty, found only in Alpine re- 
gions. It grows in Lapland with several others in this list of plants. 

ledum latifolium Aiton. Eng. Labrador tea. These specimens were 
gathered in full flower, when it is very ornamental. Mr. S. found it most 
abundant near Mount Franklin. We possess specimens of this, from La- 
brador, furnished us by Mr. Charles Frances Jun. of this city. 

KALMIA GLAUCA L. 

Found near the Blue Ponds. It was in full flower. 

arenaria GR^EENLANDICA (Spreng.) N. American Flora i. p. 180. 

This was found on Mount Washington plentifully, among the rocks at 
the base of the Sugar Loaf. It continues to flower till late in the fall. 

phyllodoce taxifolia Salisbury. DeCand. Prod. 7 p. 713.= Menziesia 
Crerulea Su-artz ; Pnrsh Fl. 1 p. £63. This is a small heath like plant. It 
is found distributed over the northern parts of Europe. 

salix uva ursi. Pursh Flora Am. Septr. 2 p. 610. Saliclum Wobur- 
nense p. 280 Jig. 151. Hooker Flora Boreali-Am. 2. p. 151. 

Mr. Pursh first described this dwarf species of willow from living plants 
cultivated by Mr. Anderson of London, obtained from Labrador. It was 
also collected by me on the White Mountains, and agrees perfectly with 
Labrador specimens in the Herbarium of Sir W. J. Hooker. 

There are besides this, two other species of willow, from the White 
Mountains of which I collected specimens. 

geum peckii, Pursh flor. 1 £>.352. Bigeloiv Flor. Boston 2d Ed. p. 
208. JV. Amer. Flor. 1 p. 424 

This showy and highly interesting Alpine Geum with yellow flowers the 
size of a Ranuculus grew abundantly (when the writer visited these Moun- 
tains) "among the Sphagnum about the Blue ponds, at an elevation of about 
four thousand feet. The plants found at a distance from the ponds, and 
higher up the mountain, were of smaller size. Pursh who saw the speci- 
mens collected by the late Professor Peck of Harvard College, named the 



Tour to /he White Hills. 



pecies after this distinguished Naturalist, who visited the White Mountains, 
July 28, 1804. 

Most of these specimens were gathered on the eastern declivity ol 
Franklin, where it grows in wet moss, and is there somewhat abundant 
within a small area. The specimens obtained at this latter locality. \\ er ■ 
remarked to be finer,than those growing near the Blue ponds,this might, h 
ever be owing to those in the last named locality, having been gathered 
more freely by visitors or Botanists, in a place which has now become a 
fashionable summer resort for travellers. 

carex saxatilis Linn. Schk. f. 40. Pursh jl. 1 p. 38. Torrey Cyper- 
acecc p. 397 ! 

The specimens of this Carex are in flower, the largest are 13 inches high, 
those of a medium size about 8 inches, while those gathered near the sum- 
mit of Mount Washington are much stunted. Mr. Pursh in his note on this 
species says, " In hemlock woods of Vermont and New Hampshire." 1 
collected this Carex abundantly myself on Mount Washington, where it 
grows among the rocks in the most exposed places destitute of all shrubs. 
Nor did I meet with it in the mountains of Vermont or New Hampshire, 
(except the White Hills) nor has it to my knowledge been so found by oth- 
ers. If I might here hazard a conjecture respecting the Carex saxatilis, I 
would say, that Mr. Pursh obtained a specimen, or had seen it, with Geum 
Peckii, and other rare Alpine plants from the White Mountains, in the pos- 
session of the late Professor Peck, of Cambridge, and might have neglected 
to record the locality accurately, not being perhaps aware of its rarity in the 
United States, when he wrote his Flora. Mr. Pursh in the preface to his 
work, page xv, expressly states, that he visited Prof. Peck, and saw his in- 
teresting plants, from the White Hills, and that he did not himself visit 
these Mountains. Carex saxatilis has of late been found on Mount Marcy 
State of New York. (See the State Catalogue of plants by Dr. Torrey, p. 
185.) 

carex atrata. Linn. Schk.f. 77. Willd. Sp. pi. 4. p. 221, Dewey Car. 
Amer. Jour. Vol. X. p. 271. Torrey Cyperacecc p. 406. 

This Carex is found in Alpine regions in the North of Europe. It was 
first discovered on the WhiteMountains, by Mr. Nuttall, Dr. James and, 
Mr. Drummond found it on the Rocky Mountains, and Captain Parry col- 
lected it in Arctic America. These specimens have not the spikes as ful- 
ly developed as those from Europe in our Herbarium, or the second or lower 
figure of Schkuhr. The tallest specimens have a spike three quarters of 
an inch long ! 

It seems desirable to compare some of these with the original specimen 
of Carex ovata. Rudge Linn. Trans. 8 p. 96. 

Dre. Boottand Gray examined Rudge's specimen, and remarked that it 



10 Tour to the White Hills. 

was near to C. atrata, and was blackish and purplish, and between C. liv- 
ida and atrata. A few of our specimens would almost answer to this descrip- 
tion. 

Mr. S. has been particularly fortunate in finding C. atrata on the White 
Mountains, which has generally we believe eluded the researches of the 
keenest eyed Botanists who have visited this region. 

Juxcus trifidus Linn. 

This is as common on the upper part of the White Mountains in moist 
places, as the common Juncus effusus Linn, is in cold wet meadows. 

Eeiophorum alpinum Linn. Torr. Cyperacea p. 335. Gray Gram, Jjr 
Cyp. 1 n. 88. 

The specimens are in flower, and were found in the South eastern de- 
clivity in a valley near the ponds. 

Eriophorum vaginattjivi Linn. Torr. Cyp. p. 335. n. 2. Gray Gram, 
1 n. 88. 

In a deep sphagnous swamp on the eastern declivity of Mount Franklin, 
where it is abundant. The specimens are in high perfection. 

Trisetum purpurascexs Torrey Flora 1 p. 127. Gray Gram. <f- Cyp. 
1 n. 46. = Avena striata Michaux. 

Found in company with Eriophorum alpinum and Carex atrata. 

Vaccinium vitis id^ea Linn. Bigelow Flor. Bost. 2d ed. p. 154. 

The specimens were gathered in flower (July loth) on Mount Clinton. 
In an excursion over this range of Mountains in the month of September, 
several years ago, I met with great quantities of the berries of this littee 
shrub, which were then hard, and red, and bore some resemblance to Cran- 
berries. These are covered up by the snow during the winter. When 
they are uncovered by the melting of the snow in the spring ; the berries are 
juicy and retain their flavor, and supply the birds with food in unfailing 
quantities. 

These berries grow abundantly in Arctic America, and are the favorite 
food of the Robin. Tardus Migratorius. (See Nuttall's Ornithology Vol 
2. p. 570.) 

Dracexa boeealis ; Aiion : Bigelow Flor. Bost. p. 135. 

In woods on the ascent to Mount Clinton. The specimens collected were 
then in full flower (July.) In the woods at the foot of these Mountains in 
the month of September, we met with this plant rather plentifully, and were 
much struck with the beauty of its large amethystine blue berries. 

Streptopus roseus. Michaux Flora 1 p. 201 /. 18. 

Found near the Blue Ponds, the plant is much smaller than in the figure 
cited, orour specimens collected in the Highlands of New York. 

Claytonia carolfxiana. Michaux Flora 1 p. 100. N. Amer. Flora 1 
p. 199. 

Found near the Blue ponda in wet mn»a. 



Tour to the White Hills. 11 

LONICERA OBLONGIFOLIA. Hooker. 

Near the Blue Ponds on a declivity. 

Rubus triflorus ; (Richardson) N. Amer. Flora 1 p. 452. 

Hedyotis c^erulea. Hooker Flora Boreali- Americana 1 p. 286. N. 
Amer. Flora of Torreij <J* Gray 2 p. 38.=HoustoniaCa2ruleaLinn. 

Near the margin of the Blue ponds ; it was growing in the immediate vi- 
cinity of a bank of snow. 

The Houstonia or Bluets, is common in New England, and adds greatly 
to the beauty of the Meadows in the month of May. 

Cuvierian Society. — At the first meeting of this Society [in the Collegiate year 
which was held on the 28th of August, 1841, 

Mr. E. W. Southwick read the Notes of a Tour to the White Hills, which appears 
in the present No. of the Classic, page 175. 

Dr. J. Barratt read a paper on the Verticillate Eupatoriums of North America ; stated 
that he had prepared several sets of specimens to send to his Botanical Correspondents, 
and presented a printed label-sheet of his Eupatoriums, intended to accompany the 
specimens, with references, notes and synonyms. 

He read a supplement to the N. American Carices, found about Middletown, this sea- 
son, which will soon be printed for his sets of the Carices. 

Dr. B. also offered some remarks on the Unios of the Connecticut River, which have 
lately received his attention ; observed that but four species of this Genus have been 
found in Mass. (on the authority of the State Catalogue) twelve in New York, and 
seventy eight in Ohio ! (according to Dr. Kirtland's valuable list in the Geological Re- 
port of that State ;) and, farther that he had made arrangements with some of the Grad- 
uates of the University to supply sets of Fresh Water Shells, especially those in Ohio. 

Voted, That Mr. Southwick's article be requested for publication. 

Special Meeting. — A special meeting was called on the 18th of Sept., 1841, to 
receive a communication, entitled Notes' and Observations on the Geological Features 
of Baldwin County, Alabama, by Artemus Bigelow, A. M., Graduate of the University 
in 1838. 

This paper was one of peculiar interest to the Society, and speaks highly for the 
zealous research of its author. Mr. Bigelow, during a recent residence in Alabama, has 
made valuable collections of plants about Mobile, a set of which has been presented to 
the President of the Society, who will soon prepare a Catalogue with accompanying 
observations. Mr. Bigelow's plants were very beautifully preserved, and his collec- 
tion would have been larger, but for the loss of half his plants collected in other parts of 
the State. 

Voted, That Mr. Bigelow be requested to present the Society with a copy of his very 
interesting communication. B. F. Mudge, Rec. Secretary. 



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